A89503:60
A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude
A practical commentary, or An exposition with notes on the Epistle of Jude. Delivered (for the most part) in sundry weekly lectures at Stoke-Newington in Middlesex. By Thomas Manton, B.D. and minister of Covent-Garden.
London: printed by J.M. for Luke Fawn, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. The next Mark may be taken from the formal answer, or correspondent act of the creature to the call of God, for that is it which sealeth our Election; for otherwise many be called, but they are not chosen, unless the heart be prevailed with to obey the call: Yea the notion of Vocation in its full latitude, implieth not only Gods act, but ours, our answer to his call. Christs sheep hear his voice: *When Christ saith, Mary, she answereth, Rabboni, my Lord. Gods call is the offer of grace, our answer is the accepting of grace offered; there must be receiving, as well as offering: Vocation is not effectual unless it end in Union; it is receiving that giveth us interest, Joh. 1. 12. The Scriptures do every where imply and signify this answerable act of the creature to the call of God: God saith, Seek ye my face and the Soul like a quick echo, Thy face Lord will I seek, Psal. 27. 8. So Jer. 3. 22. Return ye back-sliding children, and I will heal you; and then, Behold we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God. The Soul is enabled to do that which it is exhorted to do: God saith, Come to Christ, and the Soul saith, Lord I come. Well then, is the call obeyed? do you receive Christ for your Lord and Saviour? The proper answer of the call is the consent and full purpose of the heart to take Christ; for offering is the call, and receiving is the answer: Have you subscribed and consented to take Christ upon his own terms? as the Prophet, when he was to take a wife, maketh an offer, Hosea 3. I will be for thee, and thou shalt be for me; Are you content? Christ will be for you in all his graces, merits, benefits, if you will be for him in all your motions, tendencies, aims: alas, your hearts know that you are for your selves, lusts, interests, &c.
3. The next Mark may be taken from the formal answer, or correspondent act of the creature to the call of God, for that is it which sealeth our Election; for otherwise many be called, but they are not chosen, unless the heart be prevailed with to obey the call: Yea the notion of Vocation in its full latitude, implyeth not only Gods act, but ours, our answer to his call. Christs sheep hear his voyce: